2. Social will get more “shoppable" - Social networks will serve as shopping platforms with merchants using the likes of Facebook and Twitter to proactively market goods, and adding ‘buy now’ buttons to these platforms for instant transacting.

3. Brands will invest in corporate social responsibility - Greater use of ethical and good deed initiatives

4. Decline of the ‘points for purchase’ aspect of loyalty schemes - A move towards loyalty programmes which reward shoppers for their actions and engagement rather than just their purchases